Credit: Matt Stone

FOXBORO — We found out something very important about the Patriots yesterday. It’s something we didn’t know, something that changes the whole outlook about this team and their chances to win a fourth Super Bowl championship.

Their defense can make a stop to win a game. It can deliver when Tom Brady has an off night. It can save the day when the stakes are at their very highest.

Because that’s what Vince Wilfork, Brandon Spikes, Sterling Moore & Co. did yesterday. That’s what the Patriots defense did during the Pats 23-20 victory over Baltimore in the AFC Championship Game.

The Patriots won a trip to the Super Bowl because the defense bailed out Brady, who uncharacteristically turned the ball over twice with a pair of interceptions. It bailed out Danny Woodhead, who fumbled on a kickoff return. Three turnovers only produced a pair of field goals for the Ravens.

Usually turnovers kill. Usually they bounce teams right out of the playoffs. They didn’t this time because the Pats were stout in the red zone, with the Ravens scoring touchdowns on just 1-of-4 attempts.

“A lot of people doubted us. We went out in a mindset to prove ourselves to the world because we were the only defense of all the four (remaining) teams that wasn’t talked about,” said defensive lineman Kyle Love. “We were just trying to show everybody we can play, we can make big plays, we can stop offenses. That’s our focus.

“We kinda felt like underdogs. You know how that goes for me. That’s personal to me.”

Bill Belichick’s defense still gives up a ton of yards through the air, and still makes you incredibly nervous from start to finish. They are underdogs every time an offense takes possession. But in the clutch yesterday — game on the line, protecting a three-point lead, the Ravens moving in for the kill — the unit made plays.

Defensive captain Jerod Mayo walked into the huddle during the Ravens’ last drive, and basically dared the boys to put up a stand, to show everyone what they were made of, and could be counted on. The linebacker dared them to show this team isn’t just about Brady.

“We had to go out there and make a play,” Mayo said. “We had to win this game on defense. No one says we can’t win a game. Even though we have a great offense, the mental toughness on this defense is astounding. So I just told those guys, pull your chair up to the table. Someone has to eat. Someone has to make that play. That was the mindset. Guys really stepped up. Fortunately, we were able to make a play.”

During the final sequence, with the Ravens on the Pats 14 with 27 seconds left, that play was made by Moore, the cornerback who slapped a sure game-winning touchdown out of the hands of Lee Evans in the end zone.

Moore, who was elevated from the practice squad, then released, then re-signed, had the presence to know there was no trip to Indy if he wasn’t able to somehow get the ball out of Evans hands.

“It wasn’t in my mind to slap the ball out; it was just a split second decision and I’m glad it worked out,” Moore said. “We do that drill every day in practice (stripping the ball), but it was the first time I had to use it in a game. I just took what I learned in practice into the game.”

Flacco passed for 306 yards and threw a pair of touchdowns. His passer rating (95.6) was much better Brady’s (57.5). But Flacco was sacked more (three to one) and was picked off by Spikes, who made a great one-handed grab from his linebacker position to negate another potential scoring drive.

So once again, the defense made plays. After giving up 10 points in the third quarter, it held the Ravens scoreless in the fourth. Wilfork was immense at defensive tackle. Ray Rice was held to just 67 yards rushing on 21 carries. It was a monster effort.

“I had faith in these guys from the get-go,” Wilfork said. “I just seen something in these guys, and it shows. “We ignored the noise. We just concentrated on what we got going on. I practice with these guys every day.

“I know what we have. And right now is the best time to be peaking. Hopefully, we have one more left in us.”

Said safety James Ihedigbo: “There is that statement that defense wins championships. We knew as a defense we had to step up our level of play. Everyone talks about every other defense that’s in the playoffs besides ours. It was a matter of us proving our respect to everybody us.

“We can compete at a high level. We have and we will continue to. And people need to start respecting the defense and the way we play.”

Mayo put the gauntlet down: No more scoring by the Ravens. He put that thought into their heads right after the Pats took the lead at the start of the fourth quarter, and again during that last drive. The defense did the rest.

“Offense puts up the points; defense stops them,” Ihedigbo said. “At the start of the fourth quarter, Mayo grabbed the defense, and said the final score is going to be 23-20. Everyone bought into that. They made plays down the stretch, but we made more.”

The fact they shut down a team — even the Ravens — at this stage makes them dangerous in the biggest game of the season.